PHILADELPHIA (August 31, 2022) – The District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday secured a conviction for the fatal shooting of a health care worker at Jefferson University Hospital last October, as well as convictions for the non-fatal shootings of Philadelphia Police officers at a shootout that followed the murder.
Stacey Hayes (DOB: 9/16/1966) pleaded guilty to the murder of a coworker, Anrae James, at Jefferson University Hospital shortly after midnight on October 4, 2021. Hayes had approached James at his hospital workstation and fired at him at close range. When James attempted to run for safety, Hayes pursued him and shot him in the head.
Hayes also pleaded guilty to four counts of Attempted Murder and Assault of Law Enforcement Officers related to a shootout with 16th District officers who encountered Hayes at the 1400 block of Parkside Avenue approximately an hour after he murdered James. Hayes fired at least 69 rounds from an AR-15 long rifle at the officers before they incapacitated him and took him into custody. One of the officers was seriously wounded in the arm and continues to receive treatment and therapy that will be needed beyond today.
In addition to the AR-15, which was legally owned by Hayes, police recovered a ballistic vest, five rifle magazines containing dozens of live rounds, and a loaded .40 caliber handgun that was legally registered to Hayes.
The Hon. Lilliam Ransom sentenced Hayes to 35 to 70 years of incarceration.
District Attorney Larry Krasner said: “The criminal legal system today held Stacey Hayes accountable for his violent actions last October, but we cannot pretend that this is the same as justice. Anrae James’ children have lost their father; his wife and loved ones lost a dear partner and friend. That tragic reality is regrettably unchanged. I want to thank Assistant District Attorney David Osborne for his expert prosecution of this complex case, as well as our Victim/Witness Services coordinators who have held Anrae’s grieving family close all this time. We as law enforcement officers, government officials, and community members must keep working toward stricter gun regulations that would make horrors like this much less likely, and we must also keep fighting for a behavioral health system that more effectively intervenes to prevent tragedies like this.”
CONTACT:Jane Roh, 215-686-8711, [email protected]
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The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million residents of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for the prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually. Learn more about the DAO by visiting PhillyDA.org.